Electric switch instrument.



C. W. COLEMAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED 1120.22, 1905.

927,714., Patented July 13, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l WITNESSESI f INVENUR M ww ser f 53% w WS? )Cm ATTORNEY C. W. COLEMAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 22, 1905. 927,714.

Patented July 13, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET. 2. .7.1 74

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.

CLARENCE W. COLEMAN, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE HALL SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Application filed December 22, 1905. Serial No. 292,982.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE W. CQLE- MAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of VVestiield, in the county of Union and Stateof New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switch Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the instruments to be used in combination and in coperation with track devices such as track switches, track indicators, signals, etc.

The instrument comprises electric switching devices which are designed to control electric circuits.

In its usual embodiment the invention applies to such an instrument as may be exposed to the weather without injury to the switching devices. adapted to be connected with the o erating rod of the track device in any one o the various positions which may be most suitable for each instrument. -To accomplish this latter result the various operating elements of the instrument are made reversible and thus operative in two directions, the cooperating switching devices are likewise reversible and interchangeable.

Further objects ofthe invention are the positive operation, both opening and closing, of the switching devices by a fractional movement ol the track device, at least in one direction or the other, between normal osition and slight displacement, and the ocking of the switching devices throughout the remainder of the movement of the track device. These functions may be lbest illustrated in connection with the operation of a track switch. When a track switch is being shifted the associated indicator or signal should indicate the slightest displacement from normal position, and again when the switch is being replaced to normal the signal,

should not indicate normal until that osition is actually reached, while until t ese critical movements of the track device Voccur the original signal indication must be maintained. y

An additional feature of the invention 1s the construction of a device which is sui- In its 'best form it isy cient in itself to meet the conditions required of more than one ordinary instrument. y f

The preferred embodiment of the invention and its application is illustrated more articularly -in `the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate correspondingl parts in' the various figures, and in whichz Figure 1 is a'sectioual elevation of the complete instrument, on lino 1-1 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction ofthe arrows. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the instrument with its cover removed. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the end of the rocker frame. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the application of the instrum nt to a track switch. Fig. 5 is a diagram il ustrating the electrical connections of the switching devices 'in association with an electrically controlled signal. Fig. 6 is a detail section through the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more particularly t0 the Journaled in the case 1 is a rock shaft 7l with a crank 5 iixed thereto outside ofthe caseol and adapted to be connected with the operating rod for the track device. Fixed to the rock shaft 7 within thccase 1 is an actuating reci rocating member 10, 11 extending radial y from shaft 7 and provided with a curved bearing surface at its upper poition, which surface is provided with a projecting tooth 32, which is arranged to engage and actuate a notched device 24 which is secured to a rotary electric switch member or rocking frame 20, which together with the electric contacts may be termed a rotary electric switch. This member 20 is rotatably or swingingly mounted at its ends on the shaft or axis 25\xtending substantially at right angles to the path of move- -movement -of the trac Si; Y

ment of the reciprocating member 10, 11. The member 10, 11 is moved commensurately with and pro ortionally to the 'device by some direct connection. Vhen the tooth 32 operatively engages the notched device 24 in the notch or face 26, the rocking frame or rotary electric switch member 20 is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise according as the movement of the tooth 32 is to the left or to the right, considering the apparatus to be as shown in Fig. 1. T he rotation of the member 2() is limited in a counter clockwise direction by the flat engaging face or stop 33 and in a clockwise direction bythe fiat engaging face or stop 34 formed respectively on opposite sides of the notch 26 and adapted to engage the outer curved face of the reciprocating segment 11; Cooperating with the faces'or stops 33 and 34 is anengaging means 'or locking lug 29 adapted to engage first the `outer face and then the inner face of the engaging relation to the engaging face or 'stop 33 and the lug 29 the lug 29 prevents a clockwise rotation of member 2O and the face or stop 33 prevents any continuation of a counter cloc r member 20 against any rotation. When the member 20 is rotated clockwise, the segment 11 again locks the member 20. against rotation by means of its engaging relation to the engagingiface'or sto 34 and the lug 29, the lug 29 having lpasse through a notch in the segment 11 so as to engage the inner face of the segmentinstead of the outerface of the segment as it did when the member 2() was rotated counter clockwise and as shown in Fig. 1. In this case, the lug 29 prevents a return counter clockwise rotation of member 20 and the face or stop 34 prevents a continued clockwise rotation of member 20 and therefore locks 'member 20 against any rotation.

Therotary electric switch member or rockin frame 20 is connected at its sides by insu ated links 51, 52 with switching devices 48, 5G. These switching devices are mounted u on an insulating base 17 carried by the shel 16 formed on one wall of the case 1. These switching devices areconnected in circuit with a signalingdevice or devices, such as an indicator or signal, in any suitable manner. One applicatlonof the same is illustrated in Fig. 5 whilel Fig.` 4 illustrates the mechanical connection of av track switch with the switch instrument when the switching devices are connected as illustrated, in Fi 5l From an examination of "1 it is evi ent that'the tooth 32 operates positively uponthe .rocking'frame to act-nate the switching devices when it -moveain either direction.

wise rotation thus locking' Specifically the crank 5 is fixed to the shaft- 7 by means of the key 6 while the rocking segment 11, cast integrally with the web 19, legs 9, and hub 8 is fixed to the shaft 7 within the case 1 by means of the set screw 59 which permits the segment 11 to be ad'usted in its proper position on the sh'aft 7, an to be removed, reversed and replaced on shaft 7 so that the tooth 32, locked in a notch near one end of the actuatin member 10, 11 by a bolt 31, may be shifter symmetrically with reference to its operatinglposition relative to the rotary electric switc member 20. The segment 11 is rovided with two slots 12 and 13 to permit t e lug 29 to pass through the segment. 13 is for the passage of the lug with the segment as shown in Fig. 1 and 12 is for the passage of tlie lug when the segment is reversed.

The rocking frame 20 com rises a spacing rib 23 of cast metal, half tubu ar in form, and two shafts 21 and 22 extending parallel thereto and supported by yokes,69 and eX- tending at right angles to each side from the ends of the-rib 23. The rocking frame is journaled on a shaft 25 which is supported by uprights 63 and 64 inte ral with the case 1, and constituting the si es thereof. The cotter pins 59 and 62 serve to hold the shaft 25 in place. frame 2() is a notched device 24 which is cast integrally with the members 23, 6.9 and 7.0. The side of the notched device 24 adjacent to Athe se ment 11 has two inclined faces 33 and 34 orming an obtuse angle, with a groove 26 at the intersection. The yoke 69 1s provided with two' slots 27 and28 located on either end thereof andl in vertical alinement with the shafts 21 and 22 respectively. These 'slots provide for the reception of an interchangeable lug 29. The lug 29 is formed integrally at its rear with aperforated supporting link 30, adjacent to which the lug 29 is recessed on itsl upper portion as indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 3. The

At one end of the rocking lug is illustrated projecting from'the slot 28 '1 I with the perforated llnk 30 lying against the rear face of the member'69 While the shaft 22 passes throu h the up er end of the link 30. Thereby the ug 29 is eld up'in the slot 28, the sides of which prevent any lateral motion of the lug. See Fi s. 3 and 6. If the in strument should 'be a justed -to operate in the reverse of -what is illustrated, then4 the lug 29 would occupyv theslot 27 and the link'30 would change places with the washer 57 on the shaft 21. As illustrated in Figs. l, 2,-3

'and 6, the member 30 embraces the shaft 22 while a-spaclng washer 57 of the same width' as member 30 occupies a like position on the end of the shaft 21.

y Each o f the shafts 21, 22 is provided with a series of mterchangeablemembers which may be located thereon in. various relative `positions to operate according to the particu! '139 lar manner of connecting up the switching instrument with its associated devices. As illustrated in Fig. 6 each shaft is first inclosed by an insulating tube 72 whichex- .L tends from the members 57 and 30 respectively to the opposite yoke 70.

55 designates insulating washers one on each end of the tubes 72.v

52 designates the link sleeves integral with 1r' the connecting links 54. These link sleeves embrace the insulating tube 72.

5S designates blank sleeves of insulating material which correspond in size with the link sleeves 52 and which serve'to fill the laces left on the tube 72 designed to receive ink sleeves in case the latter are re-arranged to suit an interchange in the position of the switching devices.

56 designates interchangeable insulating washers alternating with the link and blanksleeves.

The shaft 21, likewise surrounded by an insulating tube 72., supports link sleeves 51 exactly similar to and Interchangeable with the link sleeves 52 on the com )anion shaft.

It is also provided with sleeve b anks and insulating washers like those on shaft 22 but arranged in the inverse order.

All the similar parts borne by the two shafts 21 and 22 are reversible and interchangeable and need not be located precisely as illustrated in the drawings but should be so located that they may properly cooperate with the switching devices which the links actuate a'cording to the location of theV switching 'evices 16 is a shelf projecting from the interior wall of the case 1, over-lying the shaft 7 and supported by two brackets 14 which extend 40 out from the wall of the case, one on either Side of the shrill? .7.

Spaced frein theshelf 16 by an insulating member 18 and attached thereto by screws 19 is an insulating base 17 to the upper face of which are lixedtheswitchingdevices. The

switching devices are all reversible and interchangeable. Two sets are illustrated in Figs. land 2. The switching devicesof theiirstset comprise-a blade member 48 of s )ring metal 50 which is attached to the base 17 y means of an integral b ase member 44 and the screw 46. This base member is supplied with a binding post 38. The blade member and the base member are formed of a single piece of spring metal bent as illustrated into a Z- shaped contour. The operating ends 47 of the blades are twisted at 90 to the base members 44 and blades proper to form knife contacts to which the links 54 are pivoted respectively and which copcrate with the contacts 43 also secured to the base 17 by screws 45 and provided with binding posts 35. 48 designates the blades of the switching devices in one set, while 50 designates the blades of a second set and, as is illustrated,

' and those remaining the position of the latter on the base 17 is lthe reverse of that in the first set. The blades 50 have operating ends 49, base members 40, actuating links 53, contacts 39 secured to the base by screws 41, and have binding posts 37, all corresponding to the similar parts described with reference to the blades 48.

The base portions 40 and 44 are attached to the insulating base 17 by means of the screws 42 and 46 and are provided with bind- 75 ing posts 36 and 38.

n the drawings four switching devices are illustrated, arranged in two sets ofA two devices each. The sets are oppositely arranged so that when one set is open the other is closed. Thereversibility and interchan eability of these devices permit that they e grouped inany desired manner. 'Ihey might all be similarly disposed and open together. Also if desired any number might be removed would still operate. Likewise by lengthening the frame 20 others plight be applied and operated by additional Although the switch contacts illustrated in coperation with the rocking frame or rotary switch member 20 are preferred, many other forms of devices might be employed to cooperate with the rotary member 20 and are contemplated.

The segment 11 moves commensurately with the track device but it is desired that the switching device should be positively operated at the initial movementofe trackf Idevice in one `diffectiiifand at the end movement of the track device in the opposite di-' rection. To accomplish this purpose the tooth 32 is located adjacent one end-of the -segment 11.

With the apparatus as illustrated, the first y portion 'of .the movement of the member 10, 11 will cause the tooth 32 operatively to engage in the notch 26 and rotate the member 20 'with a quick action, the lug 29 passing from its position outside of segment 11 down 110 through slot 13 to the under side of segment 11 so that the segment 11 will then lock the member 20 independently of the means for rotating, viz., tooth 32, by reason of the cooperating locking means, viz., face or stop 34 H5 and lug 29. rlhe member 20 will continue to be locked as the member 10, 11 moves to the limit of its travel to the left and through part of its return movement to the right. On the return movement to the right, the tooth 32 1 20 rengages in the notch 26; the lug 29 passes up throu h slot 13 as the member 201 rotates counter ockwise; and then the segment 11 again locks member 20 against rotation indeendently of the tooth 32' by means of the 125 ace or'stop 33 and lug 29 both now on the outer face of segment 11.

For some purposes the device 24 notched at 26 may be regarded as a device provided with two spaced abutments which are sub- 'L35 stantially what the sides ofthe notch 26 form and which cooperate with the tooth 32 to rotate the member 20.

If the switch instrument were always to be located in the same position relatively to the track device and to operate always in the same manner it would not be necessary to render its operating parts reversible. However this is not the case as will be seen by an inslpectlon 0i' Eig. 4. 85 and 86 illustrate the rai s of a main line in a block limited by the insulating joints, 109, 110, 111, and 112, While 87 and 88 illustrate the rails of a siding in a block limited by the. insulating joints 113,114, 89 and 90. 79 and 80 are switch points pivoted respectively at 91 and 92. They operate as is well known in the art to give admittance vto and from the siding 87 and 86, These switch points are connected' by a cross bar 82 which comprises an insulating section.81. To this cross bar 82 is fixed an offset shaft 83 which is operated by a lever8 t to throw the switch, This lever 84 although diagrammatically shown as directly connected with the rod 82 may be at any suitable distance therefrom and may operate throughthe medium of links, or in any way. The crank 5 of the switch instrument 1 is ivoted to the operating shaft 83 and therelore is moved commensurately with the bar 82 and the switch points. vThe switch instrument 1 is illustrated as attached to the tie 78 at the end 76 with its crank 5 'on the right hand side thereof. It might'be necessary, however, on account of some obstruction, to place the switch instrument at the other end 75 of the tie or ossibly on the tie 77 at either the end 73 or t ie end 74'.. It is such changes as these in the position ofthe switch instrument which necessitate corresponding changes in the relative disposition of the operating mechanism in the instrument, as have been heretofore described.

AIn Fig. 5 is illustrated apossible a plicationof the switching devices embodiecihn the instrument to a railway signaling system. The rails 87, 88 of the siding areprovided v with insulating -joints 89,' 90 respectively which to ether with the insulating bar-83v prevent s ort circ-uiting of the rails by the rails o f the switch points. Both sets of rails are supplied with current from'th battery 93, through the wires 94, 95 and 107. The magnet 100, connected to {he rails-by wires '98, 99, is therefore ncrma ly energized and Amaintains its armature 1:03 normally in contact with stop 108 closing the circiiit of signal 106 from battery 104 through wire 102,. switching device L10,'50, 49 a'nd 39,'wire 101 ba'ck to battery 104, thus holding'the signa 'at' clear.' '.When the switch points 719 and 80- are thrown the switching device 44, 47, 48, =.43jis.clsed and the rails 85 and 86 are con-- nected through Wires 96, -and'97, thus shunt.

ing o'ut tha-magnet 100.v This breaks. the.'

circuit of signal 106 which goe'sgto-I danger. p

This signal circuit is also broken at 39 by the opening of the switching device at that peint. This diagram is merely illustrative of one of many uses to which the switch instrument may be applied and it is obvious that many other circuits than those designated might be controlled by the switching devices provided in the instrument.

.VVhile'the invention is shown 'in what is now believed to be -its best form and with a wide range of adaptability, it is obvious that its features may be variously modified inv surface respectively, and means independenty of said' actuating connections for locking said electric switch mechanism by said surface when said actuating connections are disengaged.

v2. In a switch instrument for track devices, the combination of a rock shaft operable by movement of the track device, -a member secure'd thereto extending radially therefrom and having a curved bearing surface at its outer end, electric switch mechanism coperating actuating part's upon said roo l switch mechanism and'neal'v one end of said' surface respectively, locking parts independent of the actuating (parte upon said switch mechanism and sai surface respectively arranged to lock said switch mechanism 1n each of its positions, and means for releasing said lookin parts at the actuating position of the radia ly extending member.

3. In a switch instrument for track devices, electric switch mechanism, a swinging segment operable from the track device, an 'actuating connetion between the segment near one end thereof and said switch mechanism, said switch mechanism and segment respectively carrying coperative locking surfaces independent 'or' `the actuating connection and arranged to lock the switch mechanism except when the actuating connection is operative.

4., In a switch instrument for.. track devices, electric switch mechanism, a swinging ,segment operable from-the track device, a tooth, alldagnotcli' carried' 'one upon the swinging segment. near one end thereof and the thes'.- byv said switch mechanism, said switch'mecham'sm and swinging segment having locking surfaces-independent of the toothA and' notch and arranged-to lock the switch mechanism except when the toothis engaging the notch.

5. A horizontally disposed switch mechanism pivotally mounted, a swinging segment operable from a track device, a tooth and notch carried one by the switch mechanism and the other near one end of the segment, said switch mechanism and segment carrying coperating locking surfaces engaging each other except when thesegment is;:at a position to bring the tooth and notch in engagement.

6. In a switch instrument for track devices, a case a rock shaft supported thereby a switch operating rocking frame carried by the case and provided with an operating face; means en the rock shaft to engage the o erating face on the rocking frame to tilt t 1e rocking frame and means for locking said frame in position during a certain range of movement of the rock shaft.

7. In a switch-instrument for track devices, a plurality of switches oppositely arranged; a rocking. frame extending adjacent thereto; links operatively connecting each side of the rocking frame with the respective switches; an operating face on the rocking frame; and a rocking member to engage said face and operate the rocking frame.

8. In a switch-instrument for track devices, a plurality of switches oppositely arranged; a rocking frame extending transversely thereto; links operatively connecting each sideof the rocking frame with the wf respective switches; a cam on the rockin frame; and a rocking member to engage sai cam and operate the rocking frame.

9. In a switch-instrument for track devices, a plurality of switches; a rocking frame extending adjacent thereto and links operatively connecting the rocking frame with the respective switches.

10. In a switch-instrument, a reversible switching device, an operating rocking frame extending transversely to said switching device;- and a reversible link mechanically connecting said switching device with one side of said rocking frame.

11. In a switch-instrument, a plurality of reversible interchangeable switching devices; an operating rocking frame extending transversely to the switching devices; and a plurality otreversible interchangeable links each 'connecting a switching device with one side of the rocking frame.

l2. In a switch-instrument, a plurality of reversible interchangeable switching devices; an operating rocking frame extending transversely to the switching devices; and a plurality of reversible interchangeable insulated links each connectin a switching device with one side of the rorin frame.

1 3. In a switch-instrument, a pIurality of reversible interchangeable switching devices an operating rocking frame extending transversely to the switching devices; and a plurality ol reversible interchangeable links insulated from each other and from the rocking frame and each connecting a switching device with one side of the rocking frame.

14. In a switch-instrument, a'plurality of reversible interchangeable switching devices; an operating frame extending transversely thereto and comprising two parallel rods one on cach side; a tube of insulating material surrounding cach rod; reversible, interchangeable links; one end of each link comprising a sleeve embracing said tube;

the other end of each link connected t0 a switching device; interchangeable insulating washers on the tube of insulating material and alternating with the said link sleeves thereon; and interchan cable insulating washers on the ends of sai( tube of insulating material.

15.. In' a switch-instrument, a plurality of reversible interchangeable switching devices; an operatin frame extending transversely thereto an comprising two parallel rods one on each side; a tube of insulating material surrounding each rod; reversible, interchangeable links, one end of each link comprising a sleeve embracing said tube, the other end of each link connected to a switching device; blank sleeves also embracing said tube; interchangeable insulating washers on the tube of insulating material 'and alternating with the said link sleeves and blank sleeves thereon; and interchangeable insulating washers on the ends of the tubes of insulating material.

16. In aswitch-instrument` asignal switching device comprising an integral substantially Z-sha )ed blade and base member of spring metall; the contact end ol' the blade twisted at an angle ol' 90 to the blade proper and 'forming a knife contact; and a ,coperating contact member for said knife contact.

17. In a switch-instrument for track devices, signal switching devices; an operating rocking frame for said switching devices; actuating means for said rocking frame operable from either side of the track device and means for locking said trame in position during a certain range of movement of said actuating means.

1S. In a switch-instrument l'or track devices, signal switching devices; an operating rocking frame for said switching devices; reversible actuating means l'or said rocking frame operable from either side of the track device and means for locking said frame in position during a certain range of movement of said actuating means. f

19. In a switch instrument, an operating rocking frame for a switch; a notched device at one end of the frame a locking lug projecting from the frame at one side of said notched device; a cooperating reciprocating Segment adjacent said notched device to enagesaid device and said locking lug and ock the,I .rocking frame; and said segment provided with a tooth near one end to engage-said notched device and With a slot in the segment simultaneously to release said lockinOr lug.

20. lin a switch-instrument, an o erating rocking frame for a switch; 'a notc ed device at one end of the frame; said Aframe rovided with a slot on each side of said notc ed device; an interchangeable locking lug fixed to the frame and projecting through one of said slots; a coperating reversible reciprocating vsegment adjacent said notched device to engage saiddevice and said locking 4lug and lock the rocking frame; said seg-` ment provided with a tooth near one end to engage the notched device and a'slot in each edge of the segment to release the locking lug when the cam is engaged by said tooth and render the segment reversible.

21. In a switch-instrument for track devices, a case; switching devices therein; a

supporting shelf for said switching devices projecting from an interior Wall of the case I ed by brackets, extending from thewall of' the case o/n each side of said rock sha/ft; an

operating' means for the switching -dev'ces fixed to said rock haft and free to m e in an open s ace a op osite t e supporting shelf.

n testimony whereof, I have s/gned my name to this specification, in the presence of,

two subscribing witnesses.

CLARENCE W. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

NICHOLAS M. GoDLETT, Jr., LEONARD DAY.

acent the Wall o t e case 

